used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
campsnounUS /kæmps/
plural of “camp” — temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
depositsnounUS /dəˈpɑːzɪts/
plural of “deposit” — the phenomenon of sediment or gravel accumulating
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
discoveriesnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
coins made of gold
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
graduateverbUS /ˈɡrædʒəwət/
receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
inducedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈduːst/
brought about or caused; not spontaneous
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "WHERE'S JACK?"
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
the act of departing
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
engage in
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
the force of workers available
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
Merrit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
minersnounUS /ˈmaɪnərz/
plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
miningnounUS /ˈmaɪnɪŋ/
the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
not any; not one
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
northwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
and nothing more
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
refusingverbUS /rəˈfjuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
an educational institution
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
testingnounUS /ˈtestɪŋ/
the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading Ralph Merrit explained his unexpected appearance to Ruth in a far more conventional fashion than Jean had required.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading He was a native of Chicago, a graduate of a mining school, and had come west to see if he could make his living by testing the gold deposits in the mining camps in the northwest states.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
at the time that
From this reading When the find turned out to be no good, the men had slipped away, leaving him, and not only refusing to pay what they had promised for his services, but stealing all the money he had with him.
WHERE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHERE'S JACK?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two miners had induced him to go with them to an old mine not far away to see if their discoveries of gold deposits were of value.
